Michael Jackson-Bolanos pleads not guilty to Samantha Woll murder
Michael Jackson-Bolanos is thought to be a total stranger to Woll, the well-known Detroit synagogue leader
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Your support makes all the difference.A suspect has finally been arrested and charged with the murder of well-loved synagogue leader Samantha Woll almost two months after she was brutally stabbed to death at her home.
On Wednesday, 28-year-old Michael Jackson-Bolanos was charged with felony murder, home invasion and lying to police.
Local prosecutor Kym Worthy said at a press conference that the suspect had no prior connection to the victim and that the killing was not believed to be a hate crime.
Jackson-Bolanos maintained his innocence and entered a not-guilty plea on Wednesday.
At his arraignment, new details were revealed about Woll’s murder – and the evidence allegedly linking Mr Jackson-Bolanos to the crime scene.
Woll was stabbed eight times in the attack at her home in Lafayette Park on 21 October, prosecutors said. The attack began inside her home before she stumbled outside and collapsed in the street.
Prosecutors described her murder as a “crime of opportunity” when Mr Jackson-Bolanos was allegedly “prowling” the neighbourhood stealing from cars and came across her open front door.
Woll’s blood has allegedly been found on a jacket that the suspect was wearing on the night of the murder, the court heard.
Friends of Samantha Woll hope that police are close to cracking case
Friends of Samantha Woll are holding onto hope that police are close to cracking case following the apprehension of a person of interest over the weekend.
On Wednesday, police named the suspect as Michael Manuel Jackson Bolanos, and announced charges against him.
“We’re hoping this time is different than the last they announced an arrest,” Sam Dubin, a friend of Woll, told Fox2 ahead of the annoucement. “We’re optimistic that hopefully something will come of this.”
He added: “We are hoping from the detroit police department that they are transparent with what they are finding as to not leave us on edge and not leave us in the dark.
“Of course without compromising the investigation, but we truly value communication, especially in such a tough instance as this one.”
Mr Bolanos’ detainment comes after police arrested a first, still unidentified person of interest in November before releasing him without charge three days later.
Police are still yet to establish a motive for Woll’s death in late October.
In pictures: Police patrol the Detroit area where Samantha Woll was found dead
WATCH: Moment Samantha Woll is laid to rest in October
What we know about the killing of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll
Police have now named a suspect in the investigation into the death of Samantha Woll, the Detroit synagogue leader found fatally stabbed outside her home in late October.
Andrea Blanco looks at everything we know so far about the case:
What we know about the killing of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll
Samantha Woll was found stabbed to death outside her home on 21 October. Two months on, Detroit police have made an arrest in the case. Andrea Blanco reports
PICTURED: Suspect Michael Jackson-Bolanos in mug shot
Who is the suspect charged in the Samantha Woll stabbing?
A major breakthrough in the murder investigation of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll has come, after police announced charges against a new suspect.
Ms Woll, 40, a respected and popular synagogue leader, was found brutally stabbed to death in late October. Authorities believe she was attacked inside her home and then stumbled out before collapsing on the sidewalk.
Here’s what we know so far about the suspect:
Who is the suspect charged in the Samantha Woll stabbing?
The Detroit synagogue leader was found brutally stabbed to death in late October
Prosecutors reveal evidence linking Michael Jackson-Bolanos to murder
On Wednesday, 28-year-old Michael Jackson-Bolanos was charged with felony murder, home invasion and lying to police.
He appeared for his arraignment later that day where new details were revealed about Woll’s murder – and the evidence allegedly linking Mr Jackson-Bolanos to the crime scene.
Prosecutors said Woll’s blood was found on a jacket that the suspect was wearing on the night of the murder, the court heard.
The jacket was recovered from the apartment of Mr Jackson-Bolanos’ girlfriend, prosecutors said.
“On a jacket that appears to be consistent with the very same jacket he was wearing that night when she was killed,” said assistant prosecutor Ryan Elsey, according to The Detroit News.
“And when given an opportunity to explain why that blood was there, he couldn’t explain it.”
WATCH: Detroit police announces charges in Samantha Woll murder case
Samantha Woll’s family releases statement after suspect charged with murder
Our family is sincerely grateful to the hard-working women and men of the DPD Homicide Task Force who worked around the clock for weeks to thoroughly investigate this tragic crime. Through their dedication and tireless efforts, we firmly believe that they have successfully solved this senseless crime. We cannot thank them enough.
We would also like to thank everyone for their support and prayers. Samantha‘s death is an unspeakable tragedy that has affected not only her family and friends but also those who knew her as a devoted community activist, leader, and bridge builder. She was loved deeply, and her light spread far and wide. We kindly request that the media respect our privacy at this difficult time.”
- Statement from the Woll family
Samantha Woll was stabbed eight times: prosecutors
Samantha Woll was stabbed eight times in a violent attack that began inside her home, according to authorities.
New details about Woll’s murder were revealed in court on Wednesday when Michael Jackson-Bolanos appeared for his arraignment on murder charges.
In the court hearing, prosecutors said that Woll appeared to have left her front door open after she returned home from a wedding in the early hours of 21 October and fell asleep in the living room.
Around the same time, Mr Jackson-Bolanos was allegedly “prowling” the Lafayette neighbourhood stealing things from cars and came across her unlocked door.
Woll’s home security system picked up movement in her living room at around 4.20am that morning, assistant prosecutor Ryan Elsey said, according to The Detroit News.
Prosecutors said that the attack began inside Woll’s home.
Woll then stumbled outside and collapsed, where she was found at around 6am.
She had been stabbed eight times in the head and neck, prosecutors said.
“She was stabbed eight times. All wounds in and around her head and her neck. Wounds designed to kill her,” Mr Elsey said.